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UWCC Contributes to Global Dialogue at ACE–ICA CCR Joint Conference
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Charity Schmidt welcomes attendees to Montréal.
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UWCC Cooperative Development Specialist Charity Schmidt, who serves as President of ACE, welcomed cooperators from both gatherings to Montréal. At the Institute, she presented on Strengthening the worker cooperative ecosystem & expanding cooperative education in Wisconsin with our local community partner, Frida Ballard from Worker Justice Wisconsin. Charity’s leadership role reflects UWCC’s ongoing commitment to strengthening cooperative education and collaboration across North America.
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With a conference theme, Intercooperation for Our Common Futures, the ICA CCR conference brought together researchers and practitioners from around the world to exchange ideas and strengthen the global cooperative movement. UWCC Researcher Yanni Liang presented two studies highlighting current cooperative research.
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The first presentation shared findings from the Wisconsin Worker Cooperative Study (2024–25), which explored workers’ perspectives on the opportunities and challenges of participating in collective businesses. UWCC plans to share more about this study through a forthcoming manuscript and webinar.
The second presentation reported on the relationship between cooperative governance and organizational performance in both economic and social domains. Drawing on data from the 2021 Cooperative Governance Research Initiative, the study is currently under peer review with the Journal of Co-operative Organization and Management.
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UWCC Researcher Yanni Liang presents on the Wisconsin Worker Cooperative Study.
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Additionally, UWCC's Executive Director, Courtney Berner, presented on a panel titled How Governance Research is Informing Co-op Education, Development, and Practice. She shared insights from UWCC’s Cooperative Governance Research Initiative, highlighting how research can inform and strengthen cooperative governance and management practices.
This joint conference created valuable opportunities for UWCC staff to connect with international researchers and educators, advancing cooperative knowledge and fostering global dialogue around cooperative practice.
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Updated Wisconsin Co-op Directory Available
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Since 2011, UWCC has maintained the Wisconsin Cooperative Directory as a resource for policymakers, community leaders, cooperative members and staff, and other stakeholders to better understand the state’s cooperative landscape. The directory features interactive maps and tables that allow users to explore cooperatives by county, membership type, sector, and state or federal legislative district.
Since the last update in 2021, Wisconsin’s cooperative landscape has shifted due to consolidation in several sectors, and statewide redistricting has changed the boundaries of legislative and congressional districts. In 2025, UWCC staff updated the directory to reflect these changes.
Wisconsin is now home to 683 cooperatives, a decrease from 728 in 2021. The major change comes from consolidation in the mutual insurance sector. Despite this shift, Wisconsin continues to boast a diverse cooperative economy, with cooperatives across industries including health care, agriculture, insurance, finance, education, grocery, and energy. The most common types of cooperatives are consumer-owned (51.8%) and producer-owned (31.2%). By sector, agriculture accounts for the highest share of cooperatives (33.1%), followed by credit unions (16%).
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Save the Date for CCMA 2026
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We are excited to bring together food cooperative leaders from across the country for three days of learning, connection, and inspiration. Come for the conference, stay for the destination—Tacoma offers stunning waterfront views, a vibrant arts scene, and easy access to Mount Rainier and the Puget Sound. More details coming soon!
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In Brief: Resources and Updates
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Spanish-Language Cooperative Education Resources and Events
- A Spanish-language form for groups to request technical assistance from UWCC staff.
- A list of Spanish-language resources from across the cooperative community, making it easier to find trusted educational tools in one place.
To further support Spanish-speaking communities, UWCC is hosting a series of introductory workshops this October:
Taller Introductorio: Cómo crear tu propia cooperativa
Biblioteca Pública de Beloit, 605 Eclipse Blvd, Beloit, WI 53511
October 11, 2025 | 10:30 am
Presenter: Frida Ballard, Justicia Obrera de Wisconsin
Presented with La Voz de Beloit
Taller Introductorio: Cómo crear tu propia cooperativa
October 22, 2025 | 5:00 pm
Presenters: Kelly Maynard & Jesús Vargas (UWCC) with Frida Ballard (Justicia Obrera de Wisconsin)
Presented with Wisconsin Latino Chamber of Commerce
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UWCC 2024 Impact Report Available
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We are excited to announce the release of UWCC's 2024 Impact Report. Inside, you'll find stories of cooperative growth and community impact. From national conferences and research projects to local co-op education and development initiatives, see how UWCC is helping cooperatives thrive through research, education, resources, and guidance.
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UWCC Staff Updates
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We would like to share that Administrative Specialist, Abby Grott, has recently transitioned from the UWCC to a new role at The Ohio State University.
During her time with us, Abby made important contributions to our CCMA conference by introducing new conference activities for attendees. Abby also participated in Cooperative Development Foundation's Cooperative Leaders & Scholars program for new co-op leaders. We are grateful for her dedication and commitment, and we wish her every success in this next chapter.
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UWCC staff that hosted CCMA 2025 in Duluth from left to right: Courtney Berner, Kelly Maynard, Abby Grott, and Megan Webster.
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Oportunidades de Aprender sobe las Cooperativas
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Octubre 11, 2025, 10:30 am
Lugar: Biblioteca Pública de Beloit, 605 Eclipse Blvd, Beloit, WI 53511
Octubre 22, 2025, 5 pm por zoom
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El Centro de Cooperativas se está asociando con grupos comunitarios hispanos para brindar Co-op 101 en español. Todos los eventos son gratuitos y abiertos al público.
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Celebrate Co-op Month and CDS's 40th Anniversary
October 21, 2025, 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. CDT
Aubergine: a Willy Street Co-op Community Space
1226 Williamson St. Madison, WI 53706
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Join fellow cooperators from across sectors for happy hour networking, storytelling, and celebration in Madison! Connect with peers you rarely get to see in one room, share cooperative success stories, and help CDS celebrate four decades of cooperative development!
- Network across cooperative sectors (credit unions, food co-ops, housing co-ops, worker co-ops, energy co-ops, farm co-ops, co-op support organizations, and more)
- Share success stories and cooperative good cheer with peers
- Learn about cooperative development trends, challenges, and opportunities
- Generate content and connections for your organization
- Celebrate Co-op Month, the International Year of Cooperatives, and CDS's 40th anniversary
The event will include informal networking and facilitated conversation, as well as light appetizers, beverages, and of course birthday cake! Please join us!
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Training for New Employees of Cooperatives
October 22, 2025, 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
October 29, 2025, 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Zoom
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This training is designed for employees of cooperatives seeking to deepen their understanding of the cooperative model. By the end of this training, attendees will have a stronger grasp of the cooperative identity and its impact on communities and economies.
This training is only for cooperatives based in Wisconsin.
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2025 FEED Summit
October 27-28, 2025
Eau Claire, Wisconsin
The Food Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Development Summit is the only statewide conference in Wisconsin for early-state food and farming businesses. Register for business workshops, networking sessions, great local food and field trips to local food businesses! UWCC's Kelly Maynard is presenting on cooperation in the food system.
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4th Credit Union Research Workshop
January 30th, 2026, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. CT
Zoom
This event aims to foster collaboration, encourage meaningful dialogue, and share research focused on credit unions. An expanding body of research highlights key differences between credit unions and banks in areas such as risk management, loan pricing, executive compensation, responses to financial crises, and customer service.
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